Introduction to Science: Principles and Methods

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Questions and Answers

A researcher observes that plants grow taller when exposed to blue light compared to red light. According to the scientific method, what is the MOST logical NEXT step?

Ignore the observation and focus on other research areas.
Formulate a hypothesis to explain this phenomenon. (correct)
Immediately apply this finding to commercial agriculture.
Accept the observation as fact and publish the results.

Which scientific principle is MOST challenged when a climate scientist only publishes data supporting their pre-existing beliefs about climate change, while ignoring contradictory evidence?

Skepticism
Hypothesis Formulation
Empirical Evidence
Objectivity (correct)

A new study suggests that a commonly used agricultural pesticide has no effect on bee populations, contradicting several previous studies. Which course of action BEST reflects the principle of skepticism within the scientific community?

Ignore the new study due to the established consensus from previous research.
Immediately accept the new study's findings and disregard previous research.
Promote the new study to regulatory agencies without further investigation.
Demand rigorous replication of the new study and a review of the methodology of previous studies. (correct)

Which of the following research questions would fall under the domain of Earth Science?

How has the frequency of hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean changed over the past century? (A) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher wants to determine the effect of a new fertilizer on tomato yield. Which experimental design BEST isolates the impact of the fertilizer?

Divide a tomato crop into two groups, applying the new fertilizer to one group (experimental) and no fertilizer to the other (control), while keeping all other conditions the same. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do social sciences differ MOST significantly from natural sciences in their approach to studying phenomena?

Natural sciences focus on objective measurements, while social sciences often deal with subjective interpretations of human behavior and societies. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which activity is LEAST aligned with the practices of formal science?

Conducting a survey to determine voter preferences. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A pharmaceutical company conducts clinical trials for a new drug, but the results are inconclusive. Some patients show significant improvement, while others experience no effect or adverse reactions. What is the MOST appropriate ACTION for the company, following the scientific method?

Refine the hypothesis, conduct further research to identify factors influencing the drug's effectiveness, and modify the drug accordingly. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher observes a new phenomenon in their lab. Which of the following represents the next logical step in establishing this as a scientific theory?

Conducting repeated experiments to confirm the observation and developing an explanation based on confirmed facts. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the application of a scientific law versus a scientific theory?

Applying Newton's law of universal gravitation to predict the motion of planets, and using the theory of evolution to explain the diversity of species. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A materials scientist is measuring the thermal conductivity of a new alloy. Which of the following illustrates the correct application of SI units?

Converting all measurements to meters, kilograms, and seconds before calculating thermal conductivity. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the technological advancements has most directly facilitated the study of microorganisms and cellular structures?

Microscopes (C) Signup and view all the answers

An environmental scientist collects water samples from a river to assess pollution levels. Which statistical measure would be most appropriate to determine the typical pollution level in the river?

Mean (D) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is analyzing data from an experiment and observes that several data points are significantly different from the rest. What should the researcher do?

Investigate the potential sources of error and document the presence of outliers in the research report. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A scientist discovers a new chemical compound with potential medical applications, but the synthesis process generates harmful waste products. How should the scientist proceed ethically?

Disclose the environmental impact and seek ways to minimize the waste or find alternative, more sustainable synthesis methods. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A research team is preparing to publish their findings. What is the primary purpose of the peer review process?

To evaluate the quality, validity, and significance of the research before publication. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A scientist is invited to present their research at a conference but discovers that a key finding was previously reported by another researcher without proper attribution. What should the scientist do?

Acknowledge the prior work during the presentation and give appropriate credit to the original researcher. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does science education contribute to an individual's ability to navigate a rapidly changing world?

By cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and adaptability. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is Science?

A systematic approach to understanding the natural world through observation and experimentation.

What is Empirical Evidence?

Data gathered through observation and experimentation.